Food press

ABSTRACT

A press for shaping comestible products, such as meat and the like, in a tubular aperture of uniform cross section with a ram reciprocable therein. The aperture is formed by channel shaped lower die-forming means and a movable upper die partially receivable therein. Abutting surfaces limit movement of the upper die into the lower die-forming means to maintain a longitudinal opening between otherwise abuttable surfaces. Also, this opening plus a side clearance between the lower die-forming means and the portion of the upper die received therein, provides an escape passageway for air entrapped in the aperture when a product is compressed. A fluid actuator of the cylinder and piston type carries the ram on a reciprocable piston rod and is constructed so that the portion of the rod that extends into the tubular aperture is not drawn into the actuating cylinder.

United States Patent Bettcher Aug. 29, 1972 [54] FOOD PRESS PrimaryExaminer-Billy J. Wilhite [72] Inventor: Louis A. Bettcher, Amherst,Ohio Atmmey wattS Hoffmann F'Sher Hemke [73] Assignee: BettcherIndustries, Inc., Vermilion, [57] ABSTRACT Oh 10 A press for shapingcomestible products, such as meat Flledl 1969 and the like, in a tubularaperture of uniform cross [21] APPL No: 878,439 section with a ramreciprocable therein. The aperture 1s formed by channel shaped lowerdle-formmg means and a movable upper die partially receivable therein.U-S- CL Abutting Surfaces movement the upper 100/295, loo/DIG 10 intothe lower die-fonning means to maintain a lon- Cl. gitudina] peningbetween therwise abuttable guy. Fleld of Search 16 1316- 62; faces.Also, this opening plus a side clearance between 100/421 2181 232, 295,269; 99/349 the lower die-forming means and the portion of the upper diereceived therein, provides an escape References Cited passageway for airentrapped in the aperture when a product is compressed. A fluid actuatorof the UNITED STATES PATEN cylinder and piston type carries the ram on a2,359,674 10/1944 Pollock ..l8/ 16.5 X reciprocable piston rod and isconstructed so that the 2,565,245 8/1951 Lebovitz ..100/232 X portion ofthe rod that extends into the tubular aper- 2,932,246 4/1960 Gelas100/232 ture is not drawn into the actuating cylinder. 3,040,654 6/1962Opie ..100/232 X 3,327,622 6/1967 Lebovitz 100/232 9 Claims 5 Drawn;Flgures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,271,402 7/1961 France..'.....99/349 l1 1 1 1 56 46 57 53 g 54.5 54 5O 42 I11 20 IO 5 1 l l 5?a0 24 29 24 1 .6 l a9 Z5 4/ PAFEN YHMQ me 3387- O7 sum 1 or 2 O 'IIHDINVENTOR. Lou/s A. 51ET7'CHE/2 A TTOBNEYE.

FOOD PRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pressed into blocks or loaves ofdesired density and shape, typically while frozen or semi-frozen, tofacilitate subsequent slicing into pieces of generally uniform size,shape and weight. Presses for this purpose have utilized opposing diesections that are relatively movable and constructed to form a tighttubular aperture when abutted in face-to-face relationship. In use, thedie sections are brought together about a product, one end of theaperture is closed, and a ram conforming to the cross section of theaperture is moved inward from the other end to compress the product. Notinfrequently, blocks or loaves so formed are found to have voids orpockets caused by air trapped within the aperture while the product iscompressed. In addition, the product, which is typically irregular inshape, often becomes pinched between opposed marginal portions of thedies when the die sections are brought together. This skews or tends toskew the die sections and stresses the press, especially the actuatinglinkages for the movable die section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the present invention isthe provision of an improved press for comestible products such as meatand the like that readily receives irregularly shaped products, enclosesthe product in a tubular aperture without pinching portions of theproduct between marginal portions of opposed die sections, and forms theproduct to a predetermined shape while avoiding the formation of airpockets or voids.

An important feature of the invention, by which the pinching of theproduct and the formation of air pockets or the like is avoided, is theprovision of opposed die members movable together to form a tubularaperture in which a product is contained and shaped by a ram, with meansto control the position of opposed die members to maintain a spacetherebetween so that the tubular aperture formed by the die members isnot sealed longitudinally. One of the die-forming means is generallychannel shaped and the other die-forming means is at least partiallyreceives therein to form the aforementioned tubular aperture of uniformcross sectional shape. Side clearance is provided between side portionsof the die-forming means to establish a transverse escape path incommunication with the longitudinal space between the die-forming meansfor venting trapped gas from the tubular aperture when opposite ends areclosed.

Preferably, the surface of the die-forming means opposed to thechannel-shaped die-forming means is in the form of a cavity tofacilitate shaping the product to a contour having rounded corners orcurved sides. The cavity preferably extends the full width of the lowerdie-forming means. This assures that the tubular aperture will have asubstantially continuous periphery of regular contour, which imparts thedesired shape to the product.

In the preferred embodiments, the channel shaped die-forming meansincludes die box with an open ended planar base and parallel sides, anda die insert part with a concave contour. This construction facilitateschanges in the shape of the tubular aperture since only the die insertpart need be changed. Furthermore, auxiliary side plates can be insertedalong the die box sides to accommodate a narrow die insert andcooperating die member when tubular apertures of small cross sectionaldimensions are desired. Also side-by-side die insert parts and suitablecooperating dies can be used with a single die box to provide twoside-by-side tubular apertures. In the event the flexibility afforded bythe preferred construction is not needed, for example, if there is noneed to press products to different shapes, thechannel shapeddie-forming means can be a unitary member, for example, of the die boxand die insert part.

Reciprocation of the ram within the tubular cavity formed by thedie-forming means is accomplished with a horizontal fluid actuator ofthe cylinder and piston type. In the preferred embodiment, the actuatingcylinder is supported a distance from the entrance end of the stroke ofthe actuator equal to at least the length of the aperture and theportion of the piston rod that moves into and out of the aperture isnever drawn into the cylinder. This prevents any lubricants or the likefor the cylinder, piston and rod from being introduced into the apertureand prevents the piston rod from carrying any food particles or the likefrom the aperture into the actuating cylinder.

This invention, then, provides a new and improved press for shaping acomestible product that positions a die-forming means at least partiallywithin and spaced from a cooperating die-forming means to provide aproduct-receiving tubular aperture with a longitudinal separation and atransverse passageway, and one that avoids transfer of contaminantsbetween the tubular aperture and ram actuator.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill become more apparent as the invention becomes better understoodfrom the following detailed description, when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a press embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the press of FIG. 1 with enclosedparts showing in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approxi mately along theline 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing constructional details; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views on an enlarged scale, ofdie-forming means of modified constructions.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred apparatus embodying thepresent invention includes a cabinet A, supporting a hydraulic press Bpartially above the cabinet and partially within, and a hydraulic systemC for the press B, within the cabinet.

The cabinet A is generally rectangular, including a top wall 10, abottom wall 12, and four side walls, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The top wall 10supports the hydraulic press assembly B and the bottom wall 12 and sidewall 14 support the hydraulic system C.

The press structure B includes a platen 20, generally rectangular inshape, secured to the top wall 10 of the cabinet A, and a platen 22 ofsimilar shape supported above the platen 20 for movement towards andfrom the latter by four tie rods 24 at corners of the platen. The tierods 24 are connected at their lower ends to a yoke plate 26 attached toa vertically movable cylinder of a double-acting hydraulic actuator 28.The actuator 28 is supported by its piston rod 29, which is fixed to anddepends from the platen 20. A stationary die-forming means indicatedgenerally at 30 is supported by the platen 20 and a movable die member31 is carried by the platen 22. The die 31 is partially receivable inthe die-forming means 30 and together they form a tubular cavity oraperture 32 in which a product is received and pressed to shape. Ahorizontal double-acting ram actuator 33 is secured to the top wall ofthe cabinet A by a mounting bracket 34. The ram actuator 33 includes ahydraulic cylinder 35 that reciprocates a ram 36 on the end of a pistonrod 37 within the aperture 32, to compress a product. The ram 36conforms closely in size and shape to the cross section of the aperture32. The cylinder 35 is attached to the top of the cabinet 10 with itsfront end spaced at a distance from the press structure B not less thanthe length of the stroke of the actuator 33. The piston rod 37 and thecylinder 35 are of sufficient length to reciprocate the ram 36 thelength of the aperture 32. Thus, the cylinder is at least as long as theaperture and the piston rod is at least twice the length of theaperture. With this construction, the portion of the piston rod thatextends within the aperture when a product is compressed or when the ramis used to eject the product is never drawn into the cylinder.

An end plate 39 at the opposite end of the aperture 32 from the actuator35 is secured to the platen 22 and closes that end of the aperture whenthe upper platen is in its lowered position. In the lowered position,the end plate 39 acts as an abutment against which the ram 36 pressesthe product. A stop shoe 40 secured to the platen engages the outersurface of a lower portion of the end plate 39 when the upper platen isin a lowered position, and aids the end plate 39 is resisting thecompressive force of the ram.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, each tie rod 24 is supportedadjacent its lower end on a shoulder by the yoke plate 26. A threadedlower end portion of each tie rod extends through the yoke plate 26 andreceives a nut 41. The tie rods extend upward through the lower platen20 and are slidable in bushings 42. Collars 44 adjacent the upper endsof the tie rods support the upper platen 22 and threaded ends of the tierods extend through the upper platen and receive nuts 45. The upper diemember 31 is secured to the lower surface of the upper platen 22, as bysuitable screws, and has a cavity 46 opening downward. The die member 31is generally elongated and the surface forming the cavity 46 is formedof longitudinally extending straight line elements. Shims or spacerplates 47 are interposed between the die member 31 and the upper platen22 to locate the lower extremities of the die a desired distance fromopposed upwardly facing surfaces of the lower die-forming means when theupper platen is in a lowered position.

The lower die-forming means 30, considered as a unit, is an upwardlyfacing elongated channel that receives at least the lower portion of theupper die 31. In the preferred embodiments shown, the lower dieformingmeans 30 includes a die box 48 supported on the lower platen 20 and aremovable die insert, such as the insert 50 shown in FIG. 3, with anupwardly facing cavity 51.

The die box 48, has, in the orientation shown, a bottom wall portion 52and two vertically upstanding side walls 53, 54 secured thereto byscrews 55, each said wall having a flat upper surface 53a, 54a, andparallel inner facing surfaces 53b, 54b, respectively. The die box 48extends longitudinally the length of the upper die 31 and lower dieinsert 50. Longitudinally extending blocks 56, 57 are secured to theunderside of the upper platen 22, spaced apart transversely a distancethat portions then directly adjacent the outer upper side edges of thedie box side walls 53, 54 to prevent spreading of the die box side wallsduring use. As shown in FIG. 4, auxiliary side plates 58, 59 may beprovided within the die box along the side wall surfaces 53b, 54b indirect engagement with a narrower lower die insert and also form a partof the lower die-forming means 30. The auxiliary side plates accommodatedie inserts and upper dies of different widths in a single die box 48.The stationary die-forming means is shown as an assembly of a built-updie box and a die insert but it can be of unitary or monolithicconstruction, that is, the die box can itself be in the form of a diethat partially receives the upper die.

Lower surface portions 22a, 22b of the upper platen 22 located betweenthe blocks 56, 57 and the upper die 31 engage top surfaces 53a, 54a ofthe die box 48 to limit the downward travel of the upper platen 22 sothat the upper die 31 is positioned in a definite predeterminedvertically spaced relationship to the opposing surface 51 of the lowerdie-forming means 30. As shown, a space S is established between opposedportions of the upper die and lower die-forming means. Adjustment of theupper die position relative to the upper opposed surface of the lowerdie-forming means can be achieved by removing or inserting shims orspacer plates 47 between the upper die and upper platen. With upperplaten 22 engaging the ends 53a, 54a of the die box 43, as shown in FIG.3, portions of the flat inner surfaces 53b, 54b of the lower die-formingmeans 30 span the distance between the opposed cavity surfaces 46, 51and together therewith form the wall of the tubular aperture 32. Thecavity 46 of the upper die 31 and the cavity 51 of the lower die insert50 extend the full width of the respective upper die and lower dieinsert and each merges smoothly with the flat surfaces 53b, 5419 so thatthe surface of the aperture 32 is essentially regular; for example,essentially cylindrical.

The lower die-forming means shown in FIG. 4 includes auxiliary sideplates as already described to accommodate narrower die inserts andupper dies. A lower die insert and an upper die 71 each have a cavity72, 73, respectively, shaped to form a tubular aperture 32c of ovalcross section. The major axis of the oval cross sectional shape extendsacross the width of the die and die insert so that the die openings areof maximum area. The surfaces forming the aperture consist oflongitudinal straight line elements so that a ram conforming to thecross sectional shape can be reciprocated within the aperture tocompress a product.

As best shown in the enlarged views of FIGS. 4 and 5, but equally truein FIG. 3, the lower die insert in each embodiment is closely receivedbetween the side walls of the die box 48 or between the auxiliary plates56, 57 and the several parts together form a single channel shaped die.The movable upper die, in contrast, is of smaller width than the lowerdie insert and the space between the channel-forming side walls of thedie box to produce a predetermined clearance G on each side of the upperdie between it and the side portions of the lower die-forming means. Thewidth of this clearance or gap is on the order of 0.010 inch to 0.015inch, and preferably is 0.012 inch so that a path adequate for theescape of trapped air but inadequate for the escape of the productitself is provided between the upper die and lower die-forming means. Byvirtue of the clearance gap G and the spaced relationship of all upperand lower opposed surfaces of the upper die and lower die-forming means,a transverse path of communication is provided along the tubularaperture, between the upper die and lower die-forming means. Theclearances G are sufficiently small that the product being pressedcannot be forced through the gap, but at the same time, gases such astrapped air or the like can readily escape in a transverse directionalong any longitudinal portion of the product within the aperture.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a single die box 48 can be used with twoside-by-side die inserts 74, 75, each extending the length of the diebox with a cavity 76, 77 and separated by a longitudinally extendingvertical plate 78 that is secured to the bottom part 52 of the die box;The plate 78 extends above the die inserts but no higher than the diebox sides. Side-by-side upper dies 79, 80 with cavities 81, 82 arecarried by the upper platen 22 and each is receivable between anadjacent side 53, 54 of the die box and the plate 78, which ex tends asufficient distance above the lower die inserts to lie alongside atleast a lower portion of each upper die when the upper platen is in alowered position. The plate 78 functions relative to the upper dies andlower die inserts in the same manner as a side wall of the die box.

The hydraulic system C is provided to operate the actuators 28 and 33 toclose the press B and reciprocate the ram 36 to compress the productwithin the tubular aperture 32. The hydraulic system is conventional,and includes a fluid pump 90 driven by an electric motor 91, bothsupported within the cabinet A on a reservoir 92 for hydraulic fluid.The pump 90 supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure through suitableconduits, partially indicated as inlet and outlet conduits 94, 95 to theactuator 28 and an inlet and outlet conduits 96, 97 to the actuator 33,under the control of valves 98, 99 secured to the side wall 14 of thecabinet A. Each valve has an actuating lever 98a, 99a extending outsidethe cabinet. The valve 98 controls the actuator 28 to raise and lowerthe upper platen 22 of the press B and the valve 99 controls theactuator 33 to reciprocate the ram 36 within the tubular chamber formedby the upper die 31 and lower die-forming means 30. Both actuators 28and 33 are double-acting, and the control levers 98a, 99 a are movablebetween two positions to selectively actuate the cylinders in either oftwo directions.

In operation, hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied through thevalve 98 to the inlet conduit 94 to the cylinder 28 to raise thecylinder and yoke plate 26 from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 toan upper position adjacent the top of the cabinet A. This raises theupper platen 22 and upper die 31 substantially above the lowerdie-forming means 30 so that a comestible product, such as a frozen meatproduct, can be placed in the upwardly-facing channel-shaped lowerdie-forming means 30. The actuating lever 98a of the control valve 98 isthen reversed and fluid is introduced through the conduit of thecylinder 28 and exhausted through the conduit 9d to extend the pistonrod 29 and lower the yoke plate 26, thereby lowering the upper die 31until upper surfaces 53a, 54a of the die box engage the upper platen andprevent further movement. In the event the product is larger than thetubular aperture 32, movement of the upper die will initially compressthe product within the aperture. The upper die is maintained in thelower position determined by abutting surfaces by the continued fluidpressure exerted through the actuator 28. The control lever 99a is thenmoved to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure through the control valve99 to the conduit 96 of the ram actuator 33, to drive the ram 36 intothe tubular aperture 32. If necessary, the ram can be withdrawn andactuated repeatedly to obtain the desired density of the product.Typically, the press is equipped with a pressure gauge (not shown) whichwill permit proper pressure control for each type of product so that theproduct can be compressed uniformly to a desired density.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described indetail, it will be understood that various modifications or alterationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface; meansforming a lower die supported by said surface and having an upwardlyfacing elongated channel with spaced planar inwardly facing side surfaceportions; a movable die carrier on said support; an upper die secured tosaid movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partiallyreceivable between said inwardly facing side surface portions with asubstantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the lowerdie-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectionalshape; means to move said movable die carrier between a first positionin which said upper die is spaced from said lower dieforming means; anda second position in which said upper die is at least partly received insaid lower dieforming means with the lower side of the part thereofwithin said channel spaced from portions of the lower die-forming meansthat are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement; a ramconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin said aperture; a ram actuator on said support for reciprocatingsaid ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof; and aclosure for the opposite end of the aperture.

2. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upperdie supporting member carried by said support for vertical movementrelative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lowerdie supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongatedsides with flat vertical facing surfaces; an elongated die insert partin said box with an upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of saidsides; an elongated die secured to said upper die supporting member inopposed relationship to said lower die insert part with a downwardlyfacing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending side surfacesconstructed to fit within said die box with a substantial clearance oneach side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both theupper die and the lower die insert part extending the full length andthe full width of the respective parts and forming with the sides ofsaid die box a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connectedto said upper die supporting member to move it vertically toward andaway from the lower die supporting surface; a horizontal ram movablelongitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof andconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubularaperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing asecond end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when saidupper member is in a lower position.

3. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upperdie supporting member carried by said support for vertical movementrelative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lowerdie supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongatedsides with flat vertical facing surfaces; a side plate along said facingsurface; an elongated die insert part in said box with an upwardlyfacing cavity below top surfaces of said side plates; an elongated diesecured to said upper member in opposed relationship to said lower dieinsert part with a downwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinallyextending side surfaces constructed to fit between said side plates witha substantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015inch, the cavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert partextending the full length and the full width of the respective parts andforming with the side plates a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulicactuator connected to said upper member to move it vertically toward andaway from the lower die supporting surface; means to limit downwardmovement of said upper member and die and maintain the upper die spacedfrom the lower die insert part; a horizontal ram movable longitudinallywithin said tubular aperture from a first end thereof conforming inshape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within theaperture for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture;and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing a second endof said tubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper memberis in a lower position.

4. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface, lowerdie-forming means in the shape of an upwardly facing elongated channelsupported by said surface, a movable die carrier above the stationarydie supporting surface, an

upper die secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be atleast partially receivable within said lower die-forming means and whenso received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform crosssectional shape, means to move said movable die carrier and upper dietoward and away from said stationary die supporting surface and lowerdie-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture crosssection and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator onsaid support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within saidaperture from one end thereof, said ram actuator including a fluidcylinder and a reciprocable piston rod one end of which extends from oneend of the cylinder and carries the ram, said cylinder being of a lengthat least equal to the length of said aperture and said rod being of alength equal to at least twice the length of said aperture, meansmounting said one end of the cylinder a distance from the aperture alongthe path of piston rod movement a distance at least equal to the lengthof the aperture, and a closure for the opposite end of said aperture.

5. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carriedby said support and having spaced planar inwardly facing side portions,a movable die carrier on said support, a movable dieforming meanssecured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at leastpartially receivable between said inwardly facing side portions of saidstationary dieforming means with a substantial clearance gaptherebetween to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongatedaperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movabledie carrier and the movable die-forming means carried thereby between afirst position spaced from said stationary die-forming means and asecond position in which said movable dieforming means extends into saidstationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-formingmeans between said side portions of said stationary die slightly spacedfrom portions of the stationary die-forming means that are opposedthereto in the general direction of die movement, a ram conforming inshape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within saidaperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ramlongitudinaliy within said aperture from one end thereof.

6. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a stationary member having a first die supporting surface, amovable member carried by said stationary member and having a second diesupporting surface movable to and from said first die supportingsurface, a die box on the first die supporting surface opening towardssaid second die supporting surface and having two parallel elongatedsides with flat facing surfaces; 3 side plate along each said facingsurface, an elongated first die part in said die box with an outwardlyfacing cavity, an elongated second die part secured to said second diesupporting surface in opposed relationship to said first die part withparallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fitbetween said side plates with a substantial clearance on each side ofapproximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both die partsextending the width of the respective die parts and forming with theside plates when said die parts are adjacent to one another a straighttubular aperture, hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to saidmovable member to move the second die part to and from a positionadjacent to the die part, a ram conforming in shape to the aperturecross section and closely receivable within the aperture movablelongitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof forcompressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an endplate carried by said movable member for closing a second end of saidtubular aperture opposite said first end as said second die part ismoved towards said first die part.

7. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixedto said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at leastpartially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and whenso received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform crosssectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means to andfrom said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to thecross sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable within saidaperture, a fluid actuator for reciprocating said ram longitudinallywithin said aperture, said fluid actuator including a relativelyreciprocable cylinder element and piston rod element, and means fixedlysupporting one of said elements of said fluid actuator spaced from saidstationary dieforming means a distance at least equal to the length ofthe stroke of said actuator.

I 8. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixedto said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at leastpartially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and whenso received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniformcross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means toand from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape tothe cross-sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable withinsaid aperture, a fluid actuator on said support for reciprocating saidram longitudinally within said aperture, said actuator including acylinder and a reciprocable piston rod projecting from one end of thecylinder and connected to said ram and said cylinder being spaced fromsaid stationary dieforming means a distance at least equal to the lengthof the stroke of said actuator.

9. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carriedby said support and having spaced planar facing side portions and anoutwardly facing die cavity open at both ends and extending the fullwidth between said facing side portions, a movable die' carrier on saidsupport, a movable dieforrning means secured to said movable die carrierand constructed to be at least partially receivable between said facingside portions of said stationary die-forming means with a substantialclearance gap therebetween and having a die cavity open at both ends andextending the full width of the part received between said facing sideportions to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongatedaperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movabledie carrier gndthe m vable die-forming meanscarried thergby etween airst position space from said stationary 1e-

1. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface; meansforming a lower die supported by said surface and having an upwardlyfacing elongated channel with spaced planar inwardly facing side surfaceportions; a movable die carrier on said support; an upper die secured tosaid movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partiallyreceivable between said inwardly facing side surface portions with asubstantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the lowerdie-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectionalshape; means to move said movable die carrier between a first positionin which said upper die is spaced from said lower die-forming means; anda second position in which said upper die is at least partly received insaid lower die-forming means with the lower side of the part thereofwithin said channel spaced from portions of the lower die-forming meansthat are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement; a ramconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin said aperture; a ram actuator on said support for reciprocatingsaid ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof; and aclosure for the opposite end of the aperture.
 2. A press for shaping acomestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a supporthaving a lower die supporting surface; an upper die supporting membercarried by said support for vertical movement relative to said lower diesupporting surface; a die box on the lower die supporting surfaceopening upward and having two parallel elongated sides with flatvertical facing surfaces; an elongated die insert part in said box withan upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of said sides; an elongateddie secured to said upper die supporting member in opposed relationshipto said lower die insert part with a downwardly facing cavity andparallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fitwithin said die box with a substantial clearance on each side ofapproximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both the upper dieand the lower die insert part extending the full length and the fullwidth of the respective parts and forming with the sides of said die boxa straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connected to saidupper die supporting member to move it vertically toward and away fromthe lower die supporting surface; a horizontal ram movablelongitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof andconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubularaperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing asecond end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when saidupper member is in a lower position.
 3. A press for shaping a comestibleproduct such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a lowerdie supporting surface; an upper die supporting member carried by saidsupport for vertical movement relative to said lower die supportingsurface; a die box on the lower die supporting surface opening upwardand having two parallel elongated sides with flat vertical facingsurfaces; a side plate along said facing surface; an elongated dieinsert part in said box with an upwardly facing cavity below topsurfaces of said side plates; an elongated die secured to said uppermember in opposed relationship to said lower die insert part with adownwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending sidesurfaces constructed to fit between said side plates with a subStantialclearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, thecavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert part extendingthe full length and the full width of the respective parts and formingwith the side plates a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuatorconnected to said upper member to move it vertically toward and awayfrom the lower die supporting surface; means to limit downward movementof said upper member and die and maintain the upper die spaced from thelower die insert part; a horizontal ram movable longitudinally withinsaid tubular aperture from a first end thereof conforming in shape tothe aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperturefor compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and anend plate carried by said upper member for closing a second end of saidtubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper member is in alower position.
 4. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meator the like, comprising: a support having a stationary die supportingsurface, lower die-forming means in the shape of an upwardly facingelongated channel supported by said surface, a movable die carrier abovethe stationary die supporting surface, an upper die secured to saidmovable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivablewithin said lower die-forming means and when so received to formtherewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape, meansto move said movable die carrier and upper die toward and away from saidstationary die supporting surface and lower die-forming means, a ramconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocatingsaid ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof, saidram actuator including a fluid cylinder and a reciprocable piston rodone end of which extends from one end of the cylinder and carries theram, said cylinder being of a length at least equal to the length ofsaid aperture and said rod being of a length equal to at least twice thelength of said aperture, means mounting said one end of the cylinder adistance from the aperture along the path of piston rod movement adistance at least equal to the length of the aperture, and a closure forthe opposite end of said aperture.
 5. A press for shaping a comestibleproduct such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, astationary die-forming means carried by said support and having spacedplanar inwardly facing side portions, a movable die carrier on saidsupport, a movable die-forming means secured to said movable die carrierand constructed to be at least partially receivable between saidinwardly facing side portions of said stationary die-forming means witha substantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the stationarydie-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectionalshape, means to move said movable die carrier and the movabledie-forming means carried thereby between a first position spaced fromsaid stationary die-forming means and a second position in which saidmovable die-forming means extends into said stationary die-forming meanswith portions of the movable die-forming means between said sideportions of said stationary die slightly spaced from portions of thestationary die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the generaldirection of die movement, a ram conforming in shape to the aperturecross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ramactuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinallywithin said aperture from one end thereof.
 6. A press for shaping acomestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationarymember having a first die supporting surface, a movable member carriedby said stationary member and having a second die supporting surfacemovable to and from said first die supporting surface, a die box on thefirst die supporting surface opening towardS said second die supportingsurface and having two parallel elongated sides with flat facingsurfaces; a side plate along each said facing surface, an elongatedfirst die part in said die box with an outwardly facing cavity, anelongated second die part secured to said second die supporting surfacein opposed relationship to said first die part with parallellongitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit between saidside plates with a substantial clearance on each side of approximately0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both die parts extending the widthof the respective die parts and forming with the side plates when saiddie parts are adjacent to one another a straight tubular aperture,hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said movable member tomove the second die part to and from a position adjacent to the diepart, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section andclosely receivable within the aperture movable longitudinally withinsaid tubular aperture from a first end thereof for compressing a productlocated within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by saidmovable member for closing a second end of said tubular apertureopposite said first end as said second die part is moved towards saidfirst die part.
 7. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meator the like, comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming meansdetachably fixed to said support, a movable die-forming meansconstructed to be at least partially receivable within said stationarydie-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongatedaperture of uniform cross sectional shape, means to move said movabledie-forming means to and from said stationary die-forming means, a ramconforming in shape to the cross sectional shape of said apertureclosely receivable within said aperture, a fluid actuator forreciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture, said fluidactuator including a relatively reciprocable cylinder element and pistonrod element, and means fixedly supporting one of said elements of saidfluid actuator spaced from said stationary die-forming means a distanceat least equal to the length of the stroke of said actuator.
 8. A pressfor shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: asupport, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixed to saidsupport, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at leastpartially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and whenso received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniformcross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means toand from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape tothe cross-sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable withinsaid aperture, a fluid actuator on said support for reciprocating saidram longitudinally within said aperture, said actuator including acylinder and a reciprocable piston rod projecting from one end of thecylinder and connected to said ram and said cylinder being spaced fromsaid stationary die-forming means a distance at least equal to thelength of the stroke of said actuator.
 9. A press for shaping acomestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationarysupport, a stationary die-forming means carried by said support andhaving spaced planar facing side portions and an outwardly facing diecavity open at both ends and extending the full width between saidfacing side portions, a movable die carrier on said support, a movabledie-forming means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed tobe at least partially receivable between said facing side portions ofsaid stationary die-forming means with a substantial clearance gaptherebetween and having a die cavity open at both ends and extending thefull width of the part received between said facing side portions toform with the stationary die-forming means an elongated aperture ofuniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die caRrierand the movable die-forming means carried thereby between a firstposition spaced from said stationary die-forming means and a secondposition in which said movable die-forming means extends into saidstationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-formingmeans between said facing side portions of said stationary die slightlyspaced from portions of the stationary die-forming means that areopposed thereto in the general direction of die movement, a ramconforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivablewithin said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocatingsaid ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.